Machine tool transmission and control mechanism



y 20, 1941- J. B. ARMITAGE 2,242,445

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Feb. 19, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FIG- 6 gnaw" B.ARMITAGE ATTORNEY MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Feb. 19, 1957 3 Sheets- Sheet 2 FIG. 2 I Z4 21 Ila.

FIG- 4 INVENTOR- Joszpu B. ARMITAGE ATTORNEY FIG- 3 May 20, 1941. J. B. ARMITAGE 2,242,445

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Feb. 19, 19:57

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG- 5 INVENTOR QOSEPH B. ARNHTAGE ATTORNEY Patented May 20, 1941 MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Joseph B'J Armitage, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor'to Kearney a 'lrecker Corporation, West Allis, .Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application February 19, 1937, Serial No. 126,597 Renewed January 4, 1940 29 Claims. (01. 90-16) This invention relates, generally, to control mechanism for machine tools, and more particularly to mechanism for eilecting control'of apparatus carried by a movable part of a machine by means of an actuating device supported on a stationary part of the machine.

In some machine tools, for example in a milling machine of the vertical-spindle, slidinghead type having speed changing transmission apparatus for rotating the spindle at'selected speeds, it is desirable that the transmission apparatus be divided into several independent speed-changing mechanisms arranged in series relation and that one of the mechanisms of the series he carried by the sliding head. It is further desirable that a single speed-changing control element, preferably mounted on the column of the machine, be arranged to actuate all of the speed-changing mechanisms cooperatively, in order to conveniently establish any desired rate of speed for the spindle. A vertical spindle milling machine having a speed-changing control element mounted on the column and arranged in this manner to shift gearing in the sliding head, is disclosed and broadly claimed in my Patent No. 1,957,310, issued May 1, 1934 and entitled Machine tool transmission and control.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide improved control mechanism adapted for operation from one part of a machine to effect control of apparatus on another relatively movable part of the machine. r

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved compensating mechanism for a gear-shifting apparatus, that is adapted to maintain the gear-engaging part of the apparatus in predetermined operative relationship with the gears to be shifted while the gears and their supporting elements are being moved bodily relative to the gear-controlling part of the apparatus.

Another object is to provide a milling machine of the vertical-spindle, sliding-head type having improved and simplified compensating mechanism associated with the gear shifting apparatus thereof and operative to maintain constant relationship between shifting apparatus in the column of the machine and shiftable gearing in the sliding head at any position of the sliding head.

A further object of the invention is to provide an equalizing linkage for operatively-associating apparatus in relatively movable parts of a machine, the linkage being adapted to maintain a predetermined operating relationship be: tween the apparatus in one part of the machine and other apparatus in another relatively ,movable part thereof inany .Psition assumed by the movable part.

A further object of the invention is .to provide improved means for aligning and connecting relatively movable parts of a machine tool.

A still further objectof the invention is to provide an improved lubricant guard or retaining means for use with sliding shafts in a machine tool.

According to this invention, as exemplified by a preferred embodiment thereof in a milling,

machine of the vertical-spindle, sliding-head type, having speed-changing gearing, part of which is mountedin the sliding head-improved means are provided for effecting shifting of the speed changing gearing in the sliding head by mechanism mounted in the column of the machine. In order that movement of the sliding head relative to thecclumn may not alter 'the adjustment of the speed changing gearing in the head, compensating mechanism in the form of mechanical linkage is arranged in the shifting means to maintain the operative connection with the shiftable gearing substantially the same for any position of the sliding head. In a particular preferred construction, the gear shifting mechanism includes a shifting lever operatively connected at one of its ends to the gears to be shifted in the head, and at its other end to the shifting device in the column. The shifting lever is pivotally mounted on a movable fulcrum supported by an equalizing lever that is in turn pivotally mounted in the column at one end and operatively connected to the sliding head at the other end, the arrangementbeing suchthat the equalizing lever moves the sup-- porting fulcrum of the shifting lever in manner 4 to maintain the shifting lever in substantially constant operating relationship with the gearing in the sliding head in any position assumed by the head relative to the column.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of mechanism exemplifying a preferred embodiment thereof, may be achieved by the particular appart of the sliding head of the machine being shown in left side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the upper part of the machine shown with the top cover removed and with the head elevating mechanism in horizontal section taken substantially on the planes represented by'the line 22 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a view of the upper part of the machine in vertical section taken substantially on the planes represented by the line 33 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken substantially on the plane represented by the line 4-4 in Fig. 2 and showing the head elevating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic, somewhat expanded, view generally similar to Fig. 2 and showing the positions assumed by the shifting linkage for various positions of the sliding head and of the gearchanging mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the lower part of the elevating screw seen in Fig. 4, showing adjustable means for attaching the screw to the head; and 4 Fig. 7 is another view of the elevating screw attaching means taken on the plane represented by the line 1-1 in Fig. 6.

The particular machine tool illustrated as exemplifying apparatus disclosing a preferred embodiment of the several features of the present invention, is a milling machine of the verticalspindie, sliding-head type, the upper portion only of the machine being shown in the drawings since the other parts thereof are not directly concerned with this invention.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and particulanly to Fig. l, the milling machine there disclosed comprises in general an upstanding column I I that carries at its upper forwardly projecting end Ila a vertically slidable hollow head or spindle carrier l2, in which is joumaled a vertically disposed tool spindle I3. As shown, the spindle supporting head l2 includes a spindlecarrying portion I2a extending upwardly along the forward upper end Ha of the column and a gear-carrying lower portion i2b extending rearwardly into a recess Ilb beneath the forwardly projecting upper part I la of the column.

As may best be seen in the top view, Fig. 2, the sliding head- II is mounted in vertical guideways I4 on the forward face of the upper part Ila of the column I I in manner to permit vertical sliding movement of the head bodily relative to the column. For moving the head vertically, there is provided a screw and nut elevating or feeding mechanism, best shown in Fig. 4, that includes a threaded rod or feed screw i5 secured to the gear-carrying lower part iZb of the sliding head underlying the upper portion of the column II in such manner that the screw l5 extends upwardly into the interior of the forward part Ha of the column. Engaged with the screw I5 is a cooperating rotatable nut l6 mounted in thrust hearings in the column and co-acting with the screw to raise or lower the head upon being rotated in the one or the other direction.

A bevel gear I1 is provided on and secured to the lower end of the nut l6, as shown in Fig. 4, in position to mesh with a bevel pinion l8 fixed on a stub shaft I! that is rotatably mounted in bearings 20 in the side of the column Ii. At its outer end, the shaft I9 is provided with a spur pinion II that meshes with an idler gear 22, rotatably mounted on the side of the column and arranged to be driven by a pinion 23 on a shaft 24.

may be turned by a bevel pinion 2! (Fig. 2) on a forwardly extending horizontal shaft 21 which is provided with a handwheel 28 at its forward end for manually rotating the gear train to raise or lower the sliding head I: to any desired position within its range of movement.

Power for rotating the tool spindle I3 is derived from a power source in the column of the machine and is transmitted to the spindle I3 by means of a speed-changing transmission apparatus partly shown in Fig. 1 and including two rate changing mechanisms, a primary rate changer 20 mounted in the column and a secondary rate changer I! mounted in and bodily movable with the sliding head: l2.

The two rate changers 29 and 30 are arranged in series relationship in the transmission mechanism, the secondary rate changer 30 constituting in effect a range changing device adapted to cause the spindle to operate in either a high speed range or a low speed range, the advantage of having the range changer mounted in the sliding head being that at low speeds only the spindle and its low range gear are operated at low speed and subjected to high driving torque.

The primary rate changer 29 of the speedchanging mechanism is represented in Fig. 1 by a sliding gear couplet 32 and a sliding gear 33, both splined on a horizontal shaft 34 to be movable thereon in well-known manner for selectively engaging cooperating driving gears (not shown) arranged to transmit power from the power source to the shaft 34 at a selected one of several available speeds that constitute a series of spindle speeds arranged in steps differing by relatively small amounts. The shaft 34 is provided at its forward end with a bevel pinion 35 that meshes with a similar cooperating bevel pinion 36 on the lower end of a vertically disposed drive shaft 31 extending into the upper part of the column II. The drive shaft 31 is provided at its upper end with a spur gear 38 that meshes with a horizontally disposed idler gear 39 arranged to drive a meshing gear 40, the three gears constituting a transmission train extending into the forwardly projecting portion I la of the column to a position above the underlying part l2b of the sliding head l2.

The gear 40 in the upper forward end I la of the column is provided with an internally splined hub, as may be seen in Fig. 2, and power is transmitted from it to the sliding head I! by means of a vertically disposed splined shaft 4! that is journailed in the gear compartment lib of the sliding head in manner to slide vertically therewith, and is arranged to have sliding splined driving connection with the gear 40 to permit of relative vertical movement. At its lower end within the gearcarrying portion of the sliding head, the shaft 4! has splined connection with a shiftable gear couplet 42 that is constituted by a relatively small pinion 43 and a relatively large gear wheel 44 joined rigidly together.

The couplet 42 forms part of the secondary rate changer 30 that constitutes the portion of the speed-changing gear mechanism which is mounted within the sliding head I! and is movable bodily therewith. As shown in Fig. 1, the large gear wheel 44 of the couplet 42 is adapted to be meshed with a relatively small gear wheel 45 secured on the tool spindle I3 when the couplet is in its lower position, and the pinion 43 of the couplet is adapted to be raised into meshing engagement with a relatively large gear wheel 4' The shaft 24 is provided with a bevel gear 25 that 15 secured on the spindle it above and in spaced relation with the small gear wheel 45. This secondary rate change gearing 38 is-so proportioned as to change the spindle speed in relatively large steps to effect operation of the spindle l8 selectively in either a fast speed range or a slow speed range, the arrangement being such that each of the two speed ranges thus effected includes all of the fseveral speeds that may be effected by the primary rate changer 29 of the gear-shifting mechanism.

For shifting the movable gear couplet 42 in the sliding head l2 to either of its two positions to selectively engage either the gear wheel 44 or the pinion 43 with its complementary gear wheel on the spindle l3, there is provided shifting means including a vertically extending shifting rod 58 having a bifurcated shifting fork 5| that engages both sides of the gear wheel 44. The shifting rod 58 is slidably mounted for vertical movement in the underlying portion l2b of the sliding head l2 and extends upwardly therefrom into the interior of the hollow forwardly projecting upper portion Ha oi' the column ll. At its upper end within the column, the shifting rod 58 is operatively connected to gear shifting mechanism arranged to shift both the primary rate changer 29 and the secondary rate changer 28 in coordinated manner to efiect a complete series of spindle speeds in consecutive sequence. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the upper end of the rod 58 is operatively connected to the forward,

end of a pivotally mounted gear shifting lever or actuating arm 55 constituting part of a selfcompensating linkage mechanism. The lever 55 is pivotally connected at its other end, inwardly of the column, to the upper end of a shifting link 58 in such manner that when the link 58 is moved vertically the gear shifting lever 55 will 'be pivoted about its pivotal mounting, resulting in the shifting rod 58 being moved vertically in direction opposite to that in which the link 58 is moved. The link 58 is pivotally connected at its lower end to a bracket 59 fixed on a vertically slidable-control rod 68 disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel with the drive shaft 31.

The control rod 68 is amociated at its lower end with actuating means such as hydraulically actuated shifting apparatus of the type more fully set forth in my co-pending application, Serial No. 146,581, filed June 5, 1937, now Patent No. 2,240,973 dated may 6, 1941 and that is arranged to move the rod 68 up or down to either one of two positions to correspondingly move the gear couplet t2. cation, the hydraulic shifting apparatus is controlled by mechanism which also controls shifting of the primary rate changer 29.

As shown in my co-pending'appli-.

In order that the gear-shifting mechanism may actuate the shiftable gear couplet 42 in the sliding head l2 in the same manner regardless of the position of the sliding head relative to the column, the shifting mechanism is provided with a compensating or equalizing apparatus including kinematic linkage that embodies the principles of the present invention. v'I'he equalizing apparatus includes a movable fulcrum element or pivotal support for the shifting lever 55, the arrangement' being such that the fulcrum is moved by'the sliding head l2 in manner to so move the shifting lever 55 as to maintain a constant relationship between the shifting apparatus and the movable gear couplet 42 in the sliding head for any position to which the head may be moved.

As may be seen by referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 5,

near its mid-length upon a movable pivot or center I2. The pivot 12 constitutes in effect a movable fulcrum element pivotally supporting the gear shifting lever 55, and it is so arranged as to move in accordance with the movement of the sliding head l2 in manner to maintain the forward end of the gear-shifting lever and the shift ing rod 58 in the same relation to the sliding head regardless of the position assumed by the sliding head relative to the column.

To effect this desired movement of the fulcrum for the actuating arm or lever 55, the movable pivot 12 is carried by an equalizing or compensating arm or lever I3 that is pivotally mounted in the column ll upon a stationary pivot I4 at its inner end and is operatively connected at its forward end to the sliding-head l2. As may be seen in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, the forward end of the equalizing lever I3 is operatively connected to a vertically disposed compensating rod 15 that is rigidly attached to ,the sliding head l2 and is disposed to slide vertically within the upper part Ha of the column, the arrangement being such that the forward end of the equalizing lever 13 is moved in accordance with the vertical movement of the sliding head l2. In the particular arrangement of parts here illustrated, the movable pivot 12 is carried by the equalizing lever 13 at a position substantially midway between its ends, and both the equalizing lever 13 and the gear shifting lever 55' are so proportioned that the ratio of the lever arm at the left of the fulcrum or pivot 12 to the lever arm at the right ofthe fulcrum I2 is substantially the same in both levers.

When the sliding head [2 is moved vertically relative to the column, the equalizing lever 13 pivots about the stationary pivot point 14 and the shifting lever 55 moves with it, pivoting about the upper end of the shifting link 58 acting as a substantially stationary pivot point, and as the ratios of the lever arms at each side of themovable fulcrum 12 are substantially equal, the forward end of the gear shifting lever 55 will move vertically through a distance substantially equal to the vertical distance through which the forward end of the equalizing lever 13 is moved, thereby remaining in substantially constant relationship with the speed changing gearing in the sliding head. Consequently the gear shifting rod 58 will be moved vertically coincidentally with vertical movement of the compensating rod 15, and the gear couplet 42 will remain in its predetermined operating position relative to the gear wheels and 45 on the spindle i3 in any position to which the head l2 may be moved. Likewise, shifting movement of the gear couplet 42 relative to the cooperating gears on the spindle takes place in the same manner, regardless of the position of the sliding head i2. For example. upon moving the shifting link 58 from its upper position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, to its,

lower position, which results in rocking the shift- I ing lever counterclockwise and in lifting the the gear shifting lever 55 is pivotally mounted or high speed range position. In shifting the gear couplet 42 to its upper position or low. speed range position, the shifting link 58 is moved downward by the shifting mechanism thereby raising the forward end of the shifting lever 55 and placing it in the upper, substantially horizontal, position indicated in dot-dash lines in Fig. 5.

The relationship assumed by the mechanism when the sliding head I2 is moved to its extreme upper position is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, the equalizing lever 18 being shown pivoted upward at its forward end about the stationary pivot 14. With the equalizing lever in this position,.the gear shifting'lever assumes the substantially horizontal position shown in dotted lines when the gear couplet 42 is in its lower or high speed position, and it takes the position shown in double dot-dash lines when the gear couplet is moved to its upper or low speed position. Although Fig. 5 shows the positions of the linkage at only the two extreme positions of the sliding head I 2 relative to the column II, it will be understood that the shifting action of the compensated gear shifting lever 55 will be the same for any intermediate position of the sliding head, and that movement of the sliding head from any one position to any other position does not change the position of the gear couplet 42 relative to the gears 45 and 45 in the head.

As may best be seen in the top plan view, Fig. 2, the equalizing lever I3 is of generally U-shape with spaced depending lugs I8 at its closed end, which is disposed inwardly of the column. The lugs 16 are disposed respectively at the opposite sides of a horizontal supporting member or hearing plate 'Il constituting a stationary part fixed to the column ll of the. machine by screws Ila, and a pivot pin extends through both lugs and the plate to constitute the stationary pivot 14. One of the arms of the U-shaped lever 13, the one at the right side of the machine as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is extended forward to connect with the'equalizing rod 15 which is disposed at the right of the spindle driving gears 38 and 48. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the extended arm of the lever 13 is provided with a pin 18 at its forward end that engages a slot 19 in a block 88'secured tothe upper end of the equalizing rod 15.

The gear shifting lever 55 is also of generally U-shape and is disposed to encompass or lie outside of the equalizing lever 13 in nested relationship with it, as shown in Fig. 2, the two-levers being connected together at each side of the plate 11 midway of their lengths by aligned pins constituting the movable fulcrum or pivot point I2. As in the case of the equalizing lever 18, only one arm of the shifting lever 55 is extended forward, the one at the left side of the machine as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and it is connected to the shifting rod 58 which is disposed at the left of the gears 38 and 48. The extended arm of the lever 55 is provided with a pin 8| at its forward end that engages a slot 82 in a block 83 secured to the upper end of the gear shifting rod 58. At its. other end, inwardly of the column, the shifting lever 55 is provided with lugs 84 disposed at the right side of the machine and that receive a pivot pin 85 which also passes through the upper end of the shifting link 58 to form a pivotal connection therewith.

The shifting link 58 is actuated to shift the gear couplet 42 by mechanism including the bracket 58 and the control rod 58, the rod being provided at its lower end with a yoke member 88 having a horizontal groove cooperating with a sliding block 81. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the sliding block 81 is pivotally mounted eccentrica'liy on an actuating wheel or disk 88 so supported that rotation thereof causes the sliding block to co-act with the groove in the yoke in manner to effect vertical movement of the rod 88. For rotating the wheel 88 to move the rod 88 'and shift the gear couplet, there is provided a pinion 88 that is operatively connected to the wheel and that meshes with rack teeth on a horizontally disposed piston rod 88 which is connected to a piston 8| operating within a cylinder 82 and constituting the hydraulically actuated shifting .ap-

paratus. The cylinder 82 is provided with fluid pressure connections 83 and 84 through which pressure may be admitted to move the piston 8| either to the right end or to the left end of the cylinder, the fluid pressure connections 88 and 84 being associated with the controlling mechanism that also functions to shift the gear couplet 32 and the sliding gear 38 as well as other shiftable gearing within the column H, as is more fully set forth in my previously mentioned copending application.

Movement of the piston 8| from one end of the cylinder 82 to the other end thereof causes the pinion 88 and the actuating wheel 88 to turn through one-half revolution in manner to move the sliding block 81 from one extreme position to its other extreme position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. Movement of the sliding block 81 and the associated rod 88 from one extreme position to the other results in shifting the gear couplet 42 in the sliding head l2 from one to the other of its two positions, as previously ex plained. Fluid pressure for actuating the piston 8| under the control of the gear controlling mechanism is obtained from a source such as the main lubricating pump (not shown) that is normally mounted in the column of the machine and is continuously driven in the usual manner.

In order that the gear couplet 42 may be retainec] in its upper operating position independently of fluid pressure acting upon the piston 8|, the shifting mechanism is arranged to be self-locking. As may be seen in. Fig. 5, when the couplet is moved to its upper position by moving the control rod 68 to its lower position, the sliding block 81 on the wheel 88 is turned clockwise past a vertical plane through the center of the wheel, to the position shown in dotdash lines. With the block 81 in this position, force exerted upward upon the rod 68 in sustaining the weight of the gear couplet 42 tends to turn the wheel 88 clockwise, but movement of the wheel 88 in this direction is definitely limited by reason of the fact that the piston 8| abuts the head of the cylinder 82. This arrangement effectively locks the shifting mechanism to retain the gear couplet in its upper position until such time as fluid pressure is applied to the left end of the piston 8! through the connection 88 to turn the wheel 88 counterclockwise.

In order to provide for aligning the feed screw l5 (Fig. 4) accurately with the elevating nut l5 rotatably mounted in the column, the screw [5 is provided with an adjustable connection best shown in the enlarged views Figs. 6 and 7. To permit sligiht lateral adjustment of the screw relative to the head l2, a bore 85 slightly larger in diameter than the lower end of the screw I5 is provided inthe head I! to receive a reduced shank portion 88 of the screw. As shown in Fig. 6, the portion of the screw l5 just above the line at right angles to the line of movement of d the screw relative to the washer. By this arrangement, the screw is free to move laterally in any direction within the bore 85 in finding its aligned position when assembling the machine but is restrained from rotating relative to the head I2.

type, the combination with'a column and a In assembling the parts, the screw I5 is first threaded into the nut I6 in the column, as shown in Fig. 4, and then the head lZ-is fitted into the ways I4 and moved upward to pass the shank 98 of the screw through the washer 98 and through the bore 95 in the head, the centering slots permitting the screw to assume its aligned position within the bore 95. A nut I00 is then threaded onto the lower end of the screw shank 96 and tightened to rigidly connect the screw to the head I2 in accurately aligned relationship with the line of movement of the head along the ways To prevent leakage of lubricating oil from occurring between the screw I5 and the nut IS, a tubular guard IOI closed at its upper end is fitted over the upper end of the screw to shieldit from oil that is thrown about by therotating gears and shafts and that might otherwise run down the screw I5 and leak out of the machine.

A similar tubular guard or cup I02 is fitted over the upper end of the splined driving shaft 4|, as shown in Fig. l. The shifting rod 50 and the compensating rod "I5 are both likewise protected in similar manner by tubular guards I03 and I04 respectively, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The tubular guards I03 and I04 extend entirely to the top of the column and are each provided with a longitudinal slot extending vertically along the rearward side thereof to accommodate vertical movement of the blocks 83 and 80 which connect the rods with their respective cooperating levers.

,Packing glands I05 and I06 are provided-at the lower ends of the tubes I03 and I04 to prevent leakage of oil which may enter the slots.

Although a specific machine has been described in some detail in order to clearly disclose mechanism exemplifying a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the apparatus herein set forth is susceptible of various modifications apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the subjoined claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a milling machine of the vertical spindle type, the combination with a column and a spindle supporting head slidably mounted on said column, of a spindle rotatably mounted in said head, speed changing gearing carried by said sliding head and operatively connected to drive said spindle, actuating means mounted on said column independently of said head for shifting head as to maintain said actuating arm in sub- 'actuating it to shift said gearing, and means able fulcrum element pivotally supporting said arm, and means arranged to movesaid fulcrum element in accordance with the movements of said sliding head in manner to maintain said arm in substantially constant relation with said speed changing gearing at any position of said head.

2. In a milling machine of the vertical spindle stantially constant relation with said speed changing gearing at any position of said head.

3. In a milling machine of the vertical spindle type, the combination with a column and a spindle supporting head slidably mounted on, said column, of a spindle rotatably mounted in said head,- speed changin gearing carried by said sliding head and operatively connected to drive said spindle, means mounted on said column for shifting saidspeedchanging gearing, means connecting said shifting means with said speed changing gearing including an actuating arm connected at one end to said shifting means and at its other end to said shiftable'speed change gearing, a compensating arm pivotally supported at one end on said column and connected at its other end to move with said sliding head, and means pivotally supporting said actuating arm, on said compensating arm in such manner that the end of said actuating arm connected to said shiftable gearing remains in substantially constant relation thereto when said sliding head is moved relative to said column.

4. In a milling machine of the vertical spindle type, the combination with a column, a head slidably mounted thereon, and a spindle rotatably supported in said head,of shiftable gearing carried by said head and connected to drive said spindle, a gear shifting arm disposed with one end operatively connected to shift said gearing, actuating means mounted on said column and engaging the other end of said shifting arm for pivotally supporting said shifting arm in such manner that. its operative relation with said actuating means and said shiftable gearing is not disturbed by sliding movement of said head relative to said column.

5. In a milling machine of the vertical-spindle sliding-head type having shiftable gearing carried by the sliding head, the combination with actuating means on a stationary part of the machine for shifting said gearing, of link mechanism pivotally connecting said actuating means to said shiftable gearing in manner to effect shifting thereof, said link mechanism being so arranged that sliding movement of said head does not aflect the relation of said shifting means to said gearing.

6. In a milling machine of the vertical-spindle sliding-head type having shiftable gearing carried by the sliding head, the combination with actuating means on a stationary part of the machine for shifting said gearing, of link mechanism pivotally connecting said actuating means to said shiitable gearing for shifting it, said link mechanism being so arranged as to compensate for sliding movement of said head.

7; In a milling machine having relatively bodily movable supports, the combination of a transmission mechanism including a rate changer providing serially arranged gearing shift-able to a variety of position combinations collectively productive of a high rate, a relatively low rate and a variety of intermediate rates, different shiitable portions of said gearing being arranged in different of said supports for relative bodily movement with the supports, gear a shifting actuating mechanism carried by one of said supports, and mechanical linkage pivotally mounted on said supports and connecting said shifting mechanism to the shiftable gearing portion in a relatively movable support, said connecting linkage being adapted automatically to compensate for relative movement of said supports, whereby to maintain a selected position of said shiftable gearing regardless of said relative movement of said supports.

8. In a milling machine, the combination with an upstanding hollow column, a hollow carrier slidably guided on said column for vertical movement relative thereto, and a vertically disposed tool spindle rotatabiy mounted in said carrier; of a spindle rate changer including a shiitable rate change portion housed within said hollow carrier, control means for said rate changer housed within said hollow column, and motion transmitting mechanical linkage pivotally sup-' ported by said movable carrier and operatively connecting said control means in said column to said rate change-portion in said movable carrier in manner to maintain the relationship between said control means and said rate changer substantially constant regardless of the position of said carrier relative to said column.

9. In amilling machine of the vertical spindle type, a column, a sliding head mounted for vertical movement on said column, an equalizing lever pivotally mounted on said column and operatively connected at one end to said slidin head for pivotal movement in accordance with the vertical movement of said head, a vertically disposed tool spindle rotatably mounted in said sliding head for vertical movement therewith,

driving mechanism for said spindle including tionship of said shifting lever to the member from which shitting action takes Place.

11. In a machine tool, the combination with relatively movable machine parts, of a variable speed transmission mechanism including shitting elements carried by more than one of said relatively movable parts and connected ior operation in series relation, 01' actuating means mounted on one or said machine parts and operative to shift said shiitable elements of said transmission mechanism, shitting means operated by said actuating means including an actuating arm and a movable fulcrum element pivotally supporting said arm for shifting certain of said elements carried by a relatively movable part of said machine, and a connection arranged to move said fulcrum element in accordance with relative movement of said machine parts a in manner to maintain said pivoted actuating carrying member, gear controlling apparatus mounted on said supporting member, a gear shifting lever operatively connecting said controlling apparatus with said shiitable gearing, anequalizing i'ulcum element pivotally supporting said shitting lever, means arranged to move said equalizing fulcrum element in accordance with sliding movement of said tool carrier and shiitable gearing carried by said sliding head,

and av gear shifting lever operatively connected.

at one end to shift said gearing and pivotally mounted upon said. equalizing lever in such man ner that with the other end of the shifting lever held substantially stationary in the column, the

shiftable gearing within said head will remain in the same relative.- position regardless of the position of the headin its path of vertical movement.

10. A compensating; mechanism for gear shifta ing, apparatus; oii'the: type in which, the gears to be shiited are carried by a member movablev relative to the member from which the shifting: actionv takes place-,, comprising an: equalizing:

lever pivotally connected to each at said relatively movable members, and a shifting lever pivotally mountedv on, said equalizing lever and operatively connected: to shift: said gearing, the proportions of said: levers beingv such that; relative. movement oi? said relatively movable members does not: affect: the operative; relationship of saidishiitable; gears nor the operativerein in manner to so move said shifting lever as to maintain said shiitable gearing in theposition selected by said gear controlling apparatus on said supporting member in any position of said slidable tool carrier, and means on said supporting member to lock said controlling apparatus to prevent accidental movement of said shiitable gearing.

13. In a machine; tool, the combination with a supporting member and a tool carrying member slidably mounted; on said supporting member, of;sliii'tab1e gearing mounted in said tool carrying member; gear controlling apparatus mounted on said-supporting member, gear shifting means operatively connecting said control-.

ling apparatus with said shiitable gearing, and an equalizing lever pivotally connected to both said supporting member and said tool carrying member and arrangedito support said gear shifting means to moveiit in accordance ,with sliding i movement of; said. tool carrier in manner to maintain said shittable gearing" in the position selected saidi controlling apparatus on said supporting; member regardless of the positionassumed bysaidi slidable tool carrier.

14; Int a millingmachine of the vertical spindle type having asupporting column and a sliding head, the combination with a transmission mechanism including primary shiftabie gearing mounted in said. column and secondary" shiftable gearing; carried; by said sliding head, said gearing" being connected in series relationship,

of mechanism: for shifting saida gearing in predeterminedi sequence to eii'ect aseries: of spindle speeds, said. mechanism including; actuating means mounted in, said column and. operative to shift said, gearing mounted therein and other actuating: means. mounted in saidcolumn and operative to shift said gearing carried by said sliding, head, and shifting means including kinematic linkage arranged to pivotally connect said latter actuating means with, said? gearing carried by said sliding head to effect shifting of said gearing in predetermined manner regardless of the position of said sliding head.

15. In a milling machine of the vertical spindle type having a column and a spindle carrying head slidably mounted on said column, the combination with a tool spindle rotatably mounted in said head and driving mechanism for said spindle including a rate changer carried by said sliding head in manner to move bodily therewith, of shifting mechanism for said rate changer comprising an actuating mechanism mounted in said column, and linkage operatively connecting said actuating mechanism in the column to said rate changer inthe sliding head, said linkage including a pivotally mounted lever, and a movable element arranged to pivotally support said lever, said movable element being operatively connected to said sliding head for movement thereby in mannerto so position said pivoted lever that the. adjustment of said rate changer is not affected by movement of said sliding head.

16. In a milling machine of the vertical spindle type, the combination with a column and a spindle supporting head slidably mounted on said column, of means for moving said slidably mounted head relative to said column including a threaded nut rotatably mounted in said column,

" a complementary threaded elevating screw disposed in cooperating relationship with said threaded nut, and means connecting said threaded elevating screw to said slidably mounted head, said connecting means including a coupling having tongue and. groove elements arranged -to prevent rotation of said screw relative to said head when said nut is rotated and to permit lateral adjustment of said screw relative to said head to align said screw with the path of movement of said sliding head.

17. In a milling machine of the vertical spindle type having a column and a spindle carrying head slidably mounted on said column, the combination with a tool spindle rotatably mounted.

in said head and driving mechanism for said spindle including a rate changer carried by said slidinghead in manner to move bodily therewith, of shifting mechanism for said rate changer comprising an actuating mechanism mounted in said column, linkage including a sliding rod operatively connecting said actuating mechanism in the column to said rate changer in the sliding head, and means for shielding said sliding rod from contact with splashing oil in said column including a tubular guard enclosing the part of said rod extending within said column, said guardhaving a, longitudinal slot for receiving a: connecting element of said linkage. 18. In a. milling machine of the vertical spindle type having a column and a spindle carrying head slidably mounted on said column, the combination with a tool spindle rotatably mounted in said head and driving mechanism for said spindle including a rate changer carried by said sliding head in manner to move bodily therewith, of shifting mechanism for said rate changer comprising'an. actuating mechanism mounted in said column, and linkage operatively connectin'g said actuating mechanism in the column to said rate changer in the sliding head, said linkage including a fulcrum element movably mounted in said column and a lever pivotally supported on said fulcrum element, said lever being connected at one end to said actuating mechanism and at the other end to said rate changer, and said movable fulcrum being operatively connected to said sliding head for movement-thereby in manner to so move said lever as to maintain the rate changer end thereof in constant relationshipwith said rate changer.

19. In a milling machine of the vertical-spindle sliding-head type having a column, with a spindle carrying head slidably mounted thereon andatool spindle rotatably mounted in said head, the combination with driving mechanism for said spindle including a rate changer having a movable element carried by said sliding head in manher .to be bodily movable therewith, of mechanism for adjusting said rate changer, comprising an actuating mechanism mounted in said column for moving said movable element of said rate changer, locking means associated with said ac tuating mechanism and operative to lock said element in adjusted position, linkage operatively connecting said actuating mechanism in the. column to said movable rate changer element in the slidable head, said linkage including a pivotally mounted element moving lever, a. movable supporting member pivotally mounted in said column and pivotally supporting said lever in manner to constitute a movable fulcrum for said lever, and means operatively connecting said pivoted supporting member for movement therewith, the arrangement being such that movement of said supporting fulcrumby said slidable head results in moving, said pivoted lever in manner to maintain the adjusted position of said rate changer element regardless of the movement of said slidable head relative to said column. 7 v

20. In a machine tool, the combination with a frame and a member slidably mounted on said frame, of adjustable mechanism carried by said slidable member, apparatus mounted on said frame and operative to control said mechanism, linkage operatively connecting said controlling apparatus with said adjustable mechanism, and an equalizing lever pivotally connected to both said frame and said slidably mounted member and arranged to support said linkage in manner to move it in accordance with sliding movement of said member to maintain said adjustable mechanism in the position established by said control apparatus on said frame regardless of the position of said slidable member relative to said frame. I

21. In a machine tool having a base and a support member movably mounted on said base, the

combination with a movable element carried by said movable support member, of mechanism for moving said element comprising an actuating device mounted on said baseindependently. of said movable element, and linkage operatively connecting said actuating device on said base to said movable element on said movably mounted support member, said linkage including a fulcrum element movably mounted on said base and a lever pivotally supported by said fulcrum element, said lever being connected at one end to' said actuating device and at its other end to said movable element being operatively connected to said movably mounted support member for movement thereby in manner to so move said lever as to maintainthe end'thereof connected to said movto said slldable head.

element, and said movable fulcrum device mounted on said frame for adjusting said mechanism in said movable member, a pivotally supported lever disposed to connect said actuating device with said adjustable mechanism for operating it, means to pivotally support said lever, and means to move said pivotal support in accordance with movement of said movable member in a manner to maintain said adJustable mechanism in the position established by said actuating device on said frame regardless of the position assumed by said movable member rela-.

tive to said frame.

23. A compensating mechanism for a member shifting apparatus of the type in which .the members to be shifted are carried by a support movable relative to a support from which the shifting action takes place, comprising a movable fulcrum element, a shifting lever pivotally mounted on said movable fulcrum element and operatively connected to shift said member, and means to move said fulcrum element in synchronism with the movement of said movable support in such manner that relative movement of said supports does not ail'ect the operative relationship of said shifting lever to said shiftable member or to the support from which shifting action takes place.

24. In a machine tool of the type having a stationary part and a relatively movable support, the combination with shiftable gearing carried by and movable bodily with said movable support, of actuating means on said stationary part for shifting said gearing, and link mechanism pivotally connecting said actuating means to said shiftable gearing for shifting it, said link mechanism, being connected to both said stationary part and said movable support in manner to compensate for movement of said movable support relative to said stationary part.

25. A compensating 'mechanism for shifting adjustable apparatus of the type in which the apparatus to be shlfted is carried by a supporting member movable relative to the member from which the shifting action takes place, comprising an equalizing lever pivotally connected to each of said relatively movable members, and a shifting lever pivotally mounted on said equalizing lever and operatively connected to shift said apparatus, the proportions of said levers being such that said members may be moved relatively without affecting the operative relationship of said shiftable apparatus to the member carrying it nor the operative relationship of said shifting lever to the member from which said shifting action takes place.

26. In a machine tool, the combination with relatively movable machine parts, and a variable speed transmission mechanism including two shiftable rate changing elements carried respectively by two of said relatively movable parts and operatively connected in series relationship,

of controlling apparatus mounted on one of said machine parts and operative to shift the shiftable rate changing elements carried by said part, shifting means disposed to be operated by said controlling apparatus and functioning to shift the shifta'ble rate changing element carried by the other of said relatively movable machine parts, and an equalizing lever pivotally connected to each 01' said relatively movable parts and arranged to support said shifting means in manner to move it in accordance withthe relative movement of said parts for maintaining said shiftable rate changers in the positions selected by said controlling apparatus regardless of the relative position of said machine parts.

27. In a machine tool having slidably connected relatively movable members, means for moving said slidable members relative to each other including a rotatably mounted threaded nut carried by one of said members and a complementary threaded screw carried by the other of said members in cooperating relationship with said threaded nut, and means connecting said threaded screw to the member carrying it, including a coupling having tongue and groove elements arranged to prevent rotation of said screw relative to said member when said nut is rotated and adapted to permit lateral adjustment of said screw relative to said member to align said screw with the path of sliding movement of said member.

28. In a machine tool having a hollow frame constituting a lubricating chamber and a member movable relative to, said frame, the combination with mechanism operatively connecting actuating means in said frame with apparatus in said movable member including a rod extending from said member into said frame, of means for shielding said rod from contact with splashing oil in said frame including a tubular guard enclosing the part of said rod extending within said frame, said tubular guard having a longitudinal slot for receiving a connecting element of said mechanism. n

,29. A control mechanism adapted for operation from one part of a machine to eflect control of apparatus on a, relatively movable part of said machine, comprising a. controller actuating power source carried by one part of a machine, a pivotally mounted control lever operatively connecting said controller actuating power source with apparatus on a relatively movable part of said =machine, and means movable by said movable machine part and arranged to pivotally support said control lever in manner to maintain it in predetermined operative relationship with said controller actuating power source and with said apparatus regardless of relative movement of said machine parts.

JOSEPH B. ARMITAGE. 

